The conversation surrounding Hal Niedviecki's editorial and subsequent termination as editor of 'Write' magazine has highlighted the insularity of Canadian journalism from the broader social changes sweeping society.

Beyond all the noisy pundit rhetoric about free speech, are mainstream voices in media, journalism and CanLit prepared to discuss the deeper issues of history and identity at play in the debate over cultural appropriation?

In this conversation, Nickita Longman of Briarpatch magazine contrasts reactions from the Indigenous literary community and establishment Canadian journalism to the Niedzviecki affair, discusses Debra Huron’s call for legislation protecting Indigenous art forms and symbols from appropriation and talks about why Canada 150 is the right time to push hard for space in the national conversation to have these discussions.